With the event's GM having to depart WBC early due to a death
in the family, I GMd the final game (as it was conveniently next
to my semi-final event Sunday morning). When my semi-final was
finished, I became a reporter on the crucial final phases of
the EAW championship game.

Peter
Putnam chose to make Lycia his capital, getting nation deck F.
He managed to recruit three Merchants, an Engineer and a Military
Leader in the early phase of the game. Jeff Mullet chose Achaea
as his capital, getting deck A. He recruited one Merchant and
a Military Leader. Bruce Bernard picked Syria as his capital,
getting deck E and recruiting a Diplomat, an Engineer and a Military
Leader. Chris Bauch picked Baetica as his capital, getting deck
C and recruiting one Merchant, a Diplomat and an Engineer. Both
Engineer-strong players acquired Siege Towers. After turn 2,
Mullet (Achaea) had the lead with 42 points, including the largest
empire and trade bloc. Bernard (Syria) had the most costly set
of recruits. After turn 3, Mullet still had the lead, but it
was shrinking--largely due to Bauch's (Baetican) diplomat and
Putnam's (Lycian) merchants.

The fourth and final turn began with revolts in each player's
territory and no player controlling more than one zone of the
Mediterranean Sea. Syria quickly changed that by diplomatic acquisition
of the Central Med Sea (later doubling up control to deter the
Baetican diplomat). Achaea unleashed a Heavy Cavalry army to
rout armies of Lycia and Baetica in North Africa. Baetica chose
to fortify against the coming onslaught. The Lycian extended
his trade tenacles. The Achaean assault against Lycian Macedonia
was foiled by skirmishers in ambush. The Syrian diplomat lost
his tongue in the middle portion of the turn. Baetica reversed
its loss in Africa with a Diplomat, only to lose it back to the
Achaean army. The rout allowed the Achaeans to extend their own
trade empire into what now appeared to be areas safe from foreign
armies. With the handwriting on the wall, Baetica began to fish
for better mercenaries. Lycia picked on neutral opponents. The
unstoppable Achaean army (relying on HC, Pikes, Spears) routed
Baetican armies in Narbo and Gallia. Baetica's diplomatic counter
failed in Africa, as did Syrian attempts at the Achaean capital.

Despite facing three opponents who used their Diplomats and
Merchants almost exclusively against him in the final turn, Mullet
marched to victory with his army-based strategy. In the end,
Putnam's trade empire was only slightly larger. Bernard's diplomatically-acquired
territorial holdings (including much of the sea) were nearly
the same as Mullet's. Final Score: